Choentae is a descendant of Tiantai Buddhism sect that originated in China. It was transferred to Goyreo Dynasty in 11th century.
Important People:
Uicheon
Uicheon was the fourth son of king Munjong of Goryeo. He introduced the Cheontae teachings believing that it was a balanced system. This happened between 1055 and 1101. Cheontae Buddhism became a major school in Goyreo Dynasty. Uicheon gained the title DaeGakGukSa meaning national preceptor with great enlightenmen
Sangwol Wongak
After the period of popularity in Goyroe Dynasty, Cheontae Buddhism lost its popularity. It was re-established in 1945 by Sangwol Wongak, and had about two million followers in Korea.
Temple:
Guinsa is the main temple of Cheontae Buddhism located outside of Danyang, South Korea. The temple was built in 1945, but was burnt down during the Korean war. It was rebuilt in 1966. The temple consists of more than 50 buildings, which are all about 2-3 stories high.
Inside the temple is decorated splendidly. There is the Storehouse Hall, Four Heavenly Kings Gate, 5-Story Dharma Law Hall, Cafeteria Hall and the Great Teacher Hall, and many more. The Great Teacher Hall was built as a memorial for Sangwol Wongak, and contains a statue of Sangwol Wongak.Four Heavenly Kings Gate has the statues of the Four Heavenly Kings, which marks the start of the temple. The 5-Story Law Hall , one of the largest temple buildings in Korea, contains a statue of the Buddha Shakyamuni.
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The cafeteria provides three free meals a day. Lunch is between 11:30 and 1:30. The meal is relatively simple; it consists of rice, kimchi and soup.
Symbols:
The major Symbol of the Cheontae Order is three circles interconnected, and a Vajra staff going trough the middle. The three circles represent the universal laws of the threefold truths :emptiness, fallacy, and center. They are interlocking each other to represent that the threefold truths are perfectly in balance with each other.
The Vajra staff is the weapon of Vajra, the protector of Buddha. The Vajra staff represents the power that drive back evil and the wisdom of the Buddha. The gold color indicates that the wisdom of the Buddha is the Middle Way. The vertical position represents the idea of Buddhism, which is seeking enlightenment, and helping others who are suffering.
Requirements of Being a Cheontae Buddhism Monk:
1) Must Live Alone Forever.
2) Age Between 13-40.
3) Must Not Have debt.
4) Must Not Be a Criminal.
5) Needs Parents' Agreement
Beliefs:
Uicheon traveled to China to study under a number of leading masters such as Chan, Vinaya, Pure Land, and Tiantai. Uicheon promulgated the Cheontae teaching after returning to Korea, believing that it is a balanced system, and provided a viable solution to the heated Sean/Gyo debate which surround him during that time. His actions relate to Dharma because he uses ideas that are useful and beneficial to his life instead of accepting words of faith without deep examination. The dharma was also the carrier of goodness, and implied a good sense such as Uicheon’s teaching brought back to Korea.
After Uicheon returned from Song China in 1086, Uicheon wanted to ease the Gyo/Seon conflict. Cheontae doctrine is believed to be effective to this ease as it holds the Lotus Sutra of the Buddha's teachings in high values, and postulates: All things are void and without essential reality, All things have a provisional reality, All things are both absolutely unreal and provisionally real at once.
"Korean Buddhism." Asian Food Recipes, Asian Cooking Culture, Recipes from Thailand, Asia Foods Recipe, with Asia Herbs,asia Culture, Hinduism and Islamic Food Recipes, Food Ingredients, Recipe Glossaries and Cooking Techniques. Web. 14 Mar. 2012. <http://asiarecipe.com/korbuddhism.html>.
Introduction:
Choentae is a descendant of Tiantai Buddhism sect that originated in China. It was transferred to Goyreo Dynasty in 11th century.
Important People:
Uicheon
Uicheon was the fourth son of king Munjong of Goryeo. He introduced the Cheontae teachings believing that it was a balanced system. This happened between 1055 and 1101. Cheontae Buddhism became a major school in Goyreo Dynasty. Uicheon gained the title DaeGakGukSa meaning national preceptor with great enlightenmen
Sangwol Wongak
After the period of popularity in Goyroe Dynasty, Cheontae Buddhism lost its popularity. It was re-established in 1945 by Sangwol Wongak, and had about two million followers in Korea.
Temple:
Guinsa is the main temple of Cheontae Buddhism located outside of Danyang, South Korea. The temple was built in 1945, but was burnt down during the Korean war. It was rebuilt in 1966. The temple consists of more than 50 buildings, which are all about 2-3 stories high.
Inside the temple is decorated splendidly. There is the Storehouse Hall, Four Heavenly Kings Gate, 5-Story Dharma Law Hall, Cafeteria Hall and the Great Teacher Hall, and many more. The Great Teacher Hall was built as a memorial for Sangwol Wongak, and contains a statue of Sangwol Wongak.Four Heavenly Kings Gate has the statues of the Four Heavenly Kings, which marks the start of the temple. The 5-Story Law Hall , one of the largest temple buildings in Korea, contains a statue of the Buddha Shakyamuni.
.
The cafeteria provides three free meals a day. Lunch is between 11:30 and 1:30. The meal is relatively simple; it consists of rice, kimchi and soup.
Symbols:
The major Symbol of the Cheontae Order is three circles interconnected, and a Vajra staff going trough the middle. The three circles represent the universal laws of the threefold truths :emptiness, fallacy, and center. They are interlocking each other to represent that the threefold truths are perfectly in balance with each other.
The Vajra staff is the weapon of Vajra, the protector of Buddha. The Vajra staff represents the power that drive back evil and the wisdom of the Buddha. The gold color indicates that the wisdom of the Buddha is the Middle Way. The vertical position represents the idea of Buddhism, which is seeking enlightenment, and helping others who are suffering.
Requirements of Being a Cheontae Buddhism Monk:
1) Must Live Alone Forever.
2) Age Between 13-40.
3) Must Not Have debt.
4) Must Not Be a Criminal.
5) Needs Parents' Agreement
Beliefs:
Uicheon traveled to China to study under a number of leading masters such as Chan, Vinaya, Pure Land, and Tiantai. Uicheon promulgated the Cheontae teaching after returning to Korea, believing that it is a balanced system, and provided a viable solution to the heated Sean/Gyo debate which surround him during that time. His actions relate to Dharma because he uses ideas that are useful and beneficial to his life instead of accepting words of faith without deep examination. The dharma was also the carrier of goodness, and implied a good sense such as Uicheon’s teaching brought back to Korea.
Works Cited
Images:
N/A, N/A. Uicheon. N.d. the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, N/A. 우리 민족의 문화 유전자. Web .http://nationalculture.mcst.go.kr/portrait/data/portrait_view.jsp?sp_seq=40
Cho, Hyunki. Sangwol Wongak. N.d. 한겨례, N/A. 한겨례. Web.http://well.hani.co.kr/75505
N/A, N/A. Guinsa. N.d. Tumblr, N/A. Tumblr. Web. .http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/cheontae
N/A, Jill. Meal at Guinsa. N.d. Blogger, N/A. Blogger. Web. http://theothersideofthemoon2009.blogspot.com/2010/08/guinsa-temple-stay.html
N/A, Steve. Symbol of Cheontae Buddhism. N.d. Panoramio, N/A. Panoramio. Web. 3 Dec. 2012. http://www.panoramio.com/photo/33176886
N/A, N/A. Vajra Staff. N.d. Aro encyclopedia, N/A. Aro encyclopedia. Web. 3 Dec. 2012. http://aroencyclopaedia.org/shared/text/v/vajra_weapon_im_13_staff_01_eng.php
Kim, Kwang-Tae. Cheotae Buddhism Monks. N.d. Blogger, N/A. Zen Mirror. Web. 3 Dec. 2012. http://zenmirror.blogspot.com/2009/11/buddhists-from-2-koreas-hold-joint.html
N/A, N/A. Uicheon. N.d. 천태종, N/A. 천태종. Web. http://www.cheontae.org/01_cheontae/cheontae001.html?hcode=001_06_02
N/A, N/A. Lotus Sutra. N.d. Sokka Gakkai International, N/A. Sokka Gakkai International. Web. http://www.sgi.org/buddhism/buddhist-concepts/the-lotus-sutra.htmlInformation:
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"Cheontae | Tumblr." Web. 14 Mar. 2012. <http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/cheontae>.
"The Dharma." A View on Buddhism. Web. 14 Mar. 2012. <http://viewonbuddhism.org/dharma.html>.
"Korean Buddhism." Asian Food Recipes, Asian Cooking Culture, Recipes from Thailand, Asia Foods Recipe, with Asia Herbs,asia Culture, Hinduism and Islamic Food Recipes, Food Ingredients, Recipe Glossaries and Cooking Techniques. Web. 14 Mar. 2012. <http://asiarecipe.com/korbuddhism.html>.
"Sam Kwang Temple In Pusan." ::: 대한불교 천태종. Web. 14 Mar. 2012. <http://www.samkwangsa.or.kr/english/chontae.htm>.
"What Is Dharma? The Meaning of the Dharma in Buddhism and Hinduism." The Buddha Garden. Web. 14 Mar. 2012. <http://www.thebuddhagarden.com/what-is-dharma.htm>.
N/A, N/A. "Guinsa - Galbijim." Main Page - Galbijim. Version N/A. N/A, n.d. Web. 14 Mar. 2012. <http://wiki.galbijim.com/Guinsa>.